STATEHOUSE (May 1, 2026) – The governor recently ceremonially signed into law a bill co-authored by State Rep. Beau Baird (R-Greencastle) to combat animal cruelty and abuse.
Indiana has seen troubling stories in recent years of animal cruelty, neglect, pet theft and harm to law enforcement animals. House Enrolled Act 1165 responds directly to these concerns by modernizing and strengthening Indiana's animal cruelty laws.
"This gives law enforcement the tools they need to hold animal abusers accountable," Baird said. "Indiana will not turn a blind eye to animal cruelty, and this law reinforces our commitment to preventing it."
Under the new law, liability for damages is removed when a person rescues a pet from an unsafe, locked vehicle. Furthermore, it enhances the theft of a pet from a misdemeanor to a felony, creates harsher penalties for the killing of a law enforcement animal and adds stricter language to the crimes of torture, abandonment and neglect of an animal.
To learn more about this and other new laws passed during the 2026 legislative session, visit iga.in.gov.
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State Rep. Beau Baird (R-Greencastle) represents House District 44,
which includes all of Putnam County and a portion of Montgomery County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
PHOTO CAPTION: State Rep. Beau Baird (R-Greencastle) (right) joins Gov. Mike Braun (sitting, center) for the ceremonial signing of House Enrolled Act 1165 on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at the Statehouse in Indianapolis. Baird co-authored the new law to combat animal cruelty and abuse. Also pictured are bill author State Rep. Wendy McNamara (R-Evansville) (third from right) and other stakeholders.
